There was a cyberattack every 39 seconds in 2023
Cyberattacks continue to be a cause for concern for businesses. Although great strides have been made to combat this issue, the ability of threat actors to adapt, combined with other factors such as the rise in remote working or the increase in the number of devices with Internet access, means that cybercrime persists.
According to a study by Cybersecurity Ventures, a cyberattack took place every 39 seconds in 2023, which translates into over 2,200 cases per day. This contrasts with the data for 2022, when an incident occurred every 44 seconds. This faster attack rate concerns industry professionals, who are facing increasingly sophisticated threats that have been designed to circumvent cybersecurity protocols.
It is important for organizations to be aware of the types of cyberattack currently on the cybersecurity professionals’ radar so that they can adapt their protocols to deal with these threats more effectively.
The top cyberattacks in 2023
2023 has been marked by three attack modes that became a priority for cybersecurity teams. We assess their evolution over the last few months below.
-
Malware attacks:
This is the term used to refer to malicious software. Threat actors use malware to invade, damage, or disable computers, computer systems, networks, and devices, often taking control of some of the system's operations. Within the malware family, there are different attack types that compromise the security and internal systems of companies. It was one of the biggest threats in 2023 and there are 1 billion malware currently active.
-
Ransomware attacks:
This is a form of malicious software used to encrypt files or block access to a system or device. Ransomware usually affects all types of organizations, regardless of size, but particularly those that use and store critical information. Once their malicious software is installed, cybercriminals demand a ransom from their victims in exchange for unlocking access to the system. According to our eBook Escape the ransomware maze, ransomware attacks were the top threat in 2023, showing a 95% year-on-year increase in terms of frequency.
-
Phishing attacks:
This is the widest-known form of attack as it affects the end user and tends to impact our everyday activities. Despite greater awareness of this threat, new modalities have emerged in recent months that continue to make phishing one of the most common problems. Thanks to recent technologies and the use of artificial intelligence, cybercriminals have managed to perfect their techniques by simulating the voice of acquaintances through vishing or launching smishing attacks carried out through SMS or WhatsApp.
Given this persistent threat landscape, it is crucial for organizations and users alike to be aware of the dangers of these common attacks, as well as their evolution and development. Adopting this approach will make detection more effective and strengthen protective measures over the coming months, as we work towards the goal of reducing 2023’s daily rate of cyberattacks in the New Year.
If you are interested in learning more about the most prevalent attacks that could compromise the cybersecurity of your organization, check out the following blogposts:
